Archive for the 'Dallas Stars' Tag Under 'Ducks' Category

ANAHEIM – Missing an opportunity to do so on Friday, the Ducks have another chance to grab the Pacific Division lead when they host the Dallas Stars at Honda Center on Sunday night.

The Ducks (43-24-10) are coming off a disappointing 3-2 regulation loss to Vancouver on Friday after taking the lead in the third period. But they got some help Saturday from the Stars, who scored a 3-2 win over the first-place Kings at Staples Center.

John Gibson (19-12-3, 2.07 GAA, .919 SV%) will start again as Frederik Andersen remains out because of a concussion. Gibson stopped 25 shots Friday but Dan Hamhuis and Emerson Etem got pucks by him that allowed to Canucks to get a 3-2 victory.

They’re dealing with a number of other injuries. Brandon Pirri (upper body) joins the list after being shaken up by hit from Vancouver’s Nikita Tryamkin. Already out are Simon Despres (upper body), Kevin Bieksa (upper body), Rickard Rakell (appendix) and David Perron (shoulder).

Hampus Lindholm will return after sitting out Friday’s game due to the flu. Lindholm, who practiced Saturday, was among those around the Ducks that felt a game against the top team in the Western Conference would raise their level of play.

DALLAS -- In search of their first win on their current road trip, the Ducks will turn back to Frederik Andersen in goal as they take on the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center on Tuesday night.

It will be their first back-to-back situation of the season after playing Monday in Chicago. The Ducks (1-5-2) gained a point in a 1-0 overtime loss to the Blackhawks on a winning goal by Jonathan Toews.

Andersen (0-3-2, 1.71 GAA, .940 SV%) made 23 saves but is still seeking his first victory. His teammates have supported him with just one goal in his five starts.

Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau is going right back to his best option in net. Boudreau said he consults with Andersen and goaltending consultant Dwayne Roloson on how the goalie feels when it comes to a back-to-back but backup Anton Khudobin was working with the scratches Tuesday morning.

"Last night, there was (24) shots on goal," Boudreau said. "There wasn’t like a 55-shot barrage where he’s exhausted. He’s good enough to come back and play back-to-back.”

ANAHEIM -- Here is the potential lineup that the Ducks (50-23-7) will start with against the Dallas Stars on Wednesday night at Honda Center as they look to get the win that will clinch the top seed in the Western Conference for the upcoming Stanley Cup playoffs. Frederik Andersen (34-11-5, 2.37 GAA, .914 SV%) gets back in net to further his case for the Game 1 start to open the first round next week. Andersen has stopped 78 of 83 shots in three starts since being pulled on March 22 in New York. The possibility exists that captain and leading scorer Ryan Getzlaf could sit for his second straight game. Getzlaf has been practicing with the team but was the only player who didn't take part in the morning skate and may not fully healthy. If Getzlaf does go tonight, then Rickard Rakell will likely shift back to the third line and Nate Thompson to the fourth. Clayton Stoner (lower body) and Tim Jackman (leg) will return. Stoner missed three games as he's been dealing with an ailment that's flared up from time to time whille Jackman, who was hurt on March 1 at Dallas, got the approval from the medical staff to come back after a 16-game absence. Pat Maroon also comes back after missing a game due to flu symptoms.

DALLAS -- Here is the expected lineup that the Ducks (39-17-7) will start with against the Dallas Stars on Sunday night at American Airlines Center. Frederik Andersen is back and available but Coach Bruce Boudreau is staying with a winning hand in John Gibson (7-5-0, 2.63 GAA, .914 SV%) for now. Gibson, who made 20 saves Wednesday in a 4-2 win over the Kings, is making his ninth consecutive start and has allowed three or fewer goals over his last five outings. Chris Wagner filled in well against Los Angeles but was sent back to Norfolk (AHL) as Nate Thompson (lower body) is back after missing two games. Tomas Fleischmann, who was acquired from Florida on Sunday, is not expected to play after his scheduled Saturday flight to Dallas was canceled. Fleischmann did not arrive until this afternoon. With him aboard, the Ducks put Rene Bourque on waivers. Eric Brewer will be scratched for the third time in four games. Ryan Kesler stopped a nine-game pointless streak with his goal and assist Wednesday. Rickard Rakell's last goal came Jan. 30 against Chicago but the center hasn't gone more than two games without a point since Jan. 7. Emerson Etem, who has goals in two of three agmes, will play in his 100th contest.

DALLAS – Some notes, quotes and other musings from the Ducks’ 2-1 overtime win over Dallas on Friday night …

-- Is defense becoming the Ducks’ calling card? They’re not known for it and the breakdowns in the playoffs are a still-fresh reminder of their occasional struggles at key times but the numbers in 2014-15 look pretty promising.

Since allowing six goals in their season-opening loss to Pittsburgh, the Ducks have given up just 16 in the 11 games since. They’ve also allowed only three goals on the first three legs of their road trip that culminates Sunday in Colorado.

After shutting out Chicago on Tuesday, the Ducks turned in another fine effort in limiting the Stars to just one shot in the second period and only 22 for the game.

DALLAS -- Here is the projected lineup for the Ducks (8-3-0) against the Dallas Stars on Friday night at American Airlines Center. First off the ice after the optional morning skate, Frederik Andersen (6-1-0, 1.69 GAA, .940 SV%) is back in goal after watching John Gibson take the last two games. Josh Manson, who was called up from Norfolk of the AHL on Monday, will make his NHL debut on the blue line as Mark Fistric (upper body) is unable to go after being injured during the first period of Thursday's 2-0 loss to St. Louis. Manson is the son of longtime NHL defenseman Dave Manson. Unhappy with his team's performance against the Blues, Coach Bruce Boudreau said it wouldn't result in any drastic changes but don't be surprised if he moves the lineup around a little. William Karlsson might be an option to come back in if he's looking for a spark as the Ducks have scored two goals in three games. Leading scorers Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry are pointless in their last three.

ST. LOUIS -- Here is the expected lineup for the Ducks (8-2-0) that they will put on the ice against the St. Louis Blues on Thursday night at Scottrade Center. John Gibson (2-1-0, 2.33 GAA, .926 SV%) is getting consecutive starts for the first time after stopping 38 shots in a 1-0 shutout of Chicago. Gibson is getting the nod over Frederik Andersen even as Andersen has a 3-0 record against St. Louis and pitched a 28-save shutout on Oct. 19 in Anaheim. Andersen figures to go Friday in Dallas. Coach Bruce Boudreau is also dropping down Dany Heatley to the second line as it appeared Heatley has some rust to shake off following his recovery from a groin injury. Pat Maroon (MCL sprain) is recovering faster than expected and Boudreau said it is a strong possibility that he will play in either Dallas or Sunday in Colorado. Mark Fistric logged 14:58 of ice time Tuesday as he drew back in with Ben Lovejoy (broken finger) now on the shelf.

DALLAS – Thought, musings and ruminations in light of the Ducks’ stunning 5-4 comeback Game 6 victory over Dallas to capture the Western Conference quarterfinal series …

-- There was Ryan Getzlaf’s fist-pumping celebration to beat Tampa Bay near the end of overtime. There was Corey Perry also beating the clock in the extra period to take down Vancouver.

And then there was the mother of all comebacks against Winnipeg when Stephane Robidas’ overtime score won a game for the Ducks when they were down 4-0. Or even Francois Beauchemin capping another rally two nights later against Edmonton.

The Ducks provided all sorts of dramatic comebacks and fantastic finishes during a record-breaking 54-win season. But there was nothing like what occurred Sunday night.

It appeared set that the Ducks were to face a winner-take-all Game 7 against upstart Dallas as the Stars dominated the first half of Game 6 and held a 4-2 lead with just two-plus minutes to work off the scoreboard.

DALLAS -- This is the time of the year when teams are much more guarded with their information on any of their injured players.

And that extends to confirming things where they seem apparent. For instance, Matt Beleskey took regular turns skating with Rickard Rakell and Devante Smith-Pelly in the Ducks' line rushes Sunday morning before Game 6 against Dallas.

Beleskey, who has been nursing a lower-body injury since leaving Game 1, looked good on the ice and was smiling in the dressing room. The Ducks would love the physical winger back in the lineup as he was playing some of the best hockey of his career.

Nobody was willing to take the next step and say Beleskey was back in the lineup. Such is how teams handle the Stanley Cup playoffs.